Automatable measuring, cleaning and calibration device for pH-electrodes or electrodes for measuring redox potentials

ABSTRACT

An automatable measuring, cleaning and calibrating device for pH-electrodes or electrodes for measuring redox potentials, specifically in process engineering, having an electrode armature which keeps the measuring electrode in an operating position or in a maintenance position, whereby the electrode is retained in the maintenance position in a rinsing chamber in which a cleaning and calibration procedure can be performed. The device has a pump device to supply cleaning fluid and calibration solutions to the rinsing chamber over a delivery line connecting the pump device and the rinsing chamber. In order to configure the device more compactly, the pump device includes several feeds on its intake side, and a device is furnished to selectively activate a particular feed, and the media (cleaning fluid, calibration solution, etc.) brought selectively over the particular feeds to the pump device reach the rinsing chamber over the common delivery line.

BACKGROUND

[0001] The invention relates to an automatable measuring, cleaning andcalibration device for pH-electrodes or electrodes for measuring redoxpotentials, specifically in process engineering, having an electrodearmature which maintains the measuring electrode in an operatingposition or in a position for maintenance, where the electrode isretained in the maintenance position in a rinsing chamber in which acleaning and calibration procedure can be carried out, and having a pumpdevice to supply cleaning fluid and calibration solutions to the rinsingchamber by way of a delivery line connecting the pump device and therinsing chamber.

[0002] Electrochemical sensors and their electrodes are onlyconditionally consistent with respect to their measurementcharacteristics as a result of the effects of temperature, type andconcentration of ions in the test medium, contamination and ageing, andfor this reason they should be cleaned at appropriate intervals andchecked through the use of standardized calibration solutions. In aninspection of this kind sensor, parameters such as zero point andsteepness of the sensor curve are captured through measurements andsaved in the appropriate measurement and evaluation device forconsideration during sensor operation.

[0003] An electrode armature for a measuring, cleaning and calibrationdevice is described, for example, in DE 39 27 282 A. Using an electrodearmature of this type, a pH-electrode, for example, can be moved fromits operating position in a process container and brought into aposition for maintenance in a rinsing chamber, where it is exposed tocleaning and calibration solutions.

[0004] Further efforts are being made to automate this cleaning andcalibration process, which is hereafter described as maintenance. Theknown method is to supply cleaning fluids and calibration solutionsthrough pump equipment to the rinsing chamber of the measuring, cleaningand calibrating device. A separate pump device is used for each mediumto be supplied.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to design a more compactversion of an automatable measuring, cleaning and calibration device ofthe type described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] This object is achieved under the invention in the case of adevice by which the pump device comprises several feeds on its intakeside, by which a device for selectively activating a particular feed,and by which the media selectively brought over the particular feeds tothe pump device, i.e. cleaning fluid, calibration solutions or rinsewater, reach the rinsing chamber through the common delivery line.

[0007] It is therefore proposed with the present invention thatspecifically only a single pump device be used, which is then connectedto several feeds, for example, to several feed lines, which for theirpart are connected to various receiving containers for differentcalibration solutions and for different cleaning or rinsing solutionsfurnished directly at the device or at a remote location. By means ofthe device for selectively activating a particular feed, the feeddesired at the time in accordance with the preselected cleaning andcalibration cycle can be activated so that the appropriate cleaningfluid can be delivered through the pump device to the rinsing chamber.

[0008] The cleaning and calibration sequence is designed such thatcleaning fluids and calibration solutions, but also rinsing solutionsand compressed air if needed, can be delivered alternately to therinsing chamber in order to service the sensor, its pH-electrode or itsredox electrode, respectively.

[0009] A typical cleaning and calibration cycle for a pH-measuringelectrode could run as follows: First, the measuring electrode, whichhas been moved from the operating to the maintenance position, ispre-rinsed with water. This is followed by a cleaning step by rinsingthe chamber with cleaning fluid. Immediately afterwards water is used toprovide a second rinse. The rinsing chamber is then blown dry withcompressed air. A first calibration solution is introduced in the formof a pH-buffered primary solution, and the corresponding values for thesensor are determined, processed metrologically and saved. Another rinsewith water is performed, followed by further blowing dry with air. Thena second calibration solution is introduced as the sensor signal isrecorded, and then a water rinse is carried out, followed by an airrinse.

[0010] It must be pointed out that the operational position and themaintenance position of the sensor are not necessarily different fromone another, as is customary with an switching armature, and thus do nothave to be located, for example, inside or outside a process container,but it would be possible, at least in principle, for telescoping housingcomponents or similar to be furnished, which seal off the process, whileretaining the position of the measuring electrode.

[0011] In any case it proves advantageous if only a single pump deviceis provided, which comprises the several feeds, specifically a firstmeans of supply to provide a cleaning fluid and a second and a thirdmeans of supply to provide a first and a second calibration solution,respectively.

[0012] Furthermore, it proves to be advantageous if the pump device is ametering pump device, with which specified quantities can be supplied tothe rinsing chamber. This proves to be especially advantageous withrespect to the calibration solutions which, for cost reasons, should beconsumed only in the required quantity.

[0013] The pump device could comprise extensive intake ducts equippedwith a plurality of selectable valves. However, in a further developmentof the invention it is proposed that the pump device comprises a firstcomponent which can be connected to the several feeds, which has oneopening per feed, which openings can be connected selectively to onespecific individual intake duct of the pump device.

[0014] To achieve this it is further proposed that the device forselectively activating a particular feed has a second component, whichis adjustable with respect to the first component, comprising the intakeduct, and that the first and the second component are adjustablerelative to each other in such a way that one intake port of the intakeduct can be selectively connected to a particular feed. Thus the twocomponents are adjusted to each another, specifically rotated, such thata cross-section of the openings on both sides communicate with eachother to create a fluid connection between a particular feed and theintake duct of the pump device.

[0015] In order to be able to furnish means of supply for the severalfeeds permanently in place, it proves advantageous if the firstcomponent, which is connected to these feeds, is a rigidly mountedcomponent. However, this is not absolutely necessary, since flexiblemeans of supply can also be used for the feeds. Accordingly, it provesto be advantageous if the second component is an actuator moveable withrespect to the first rigidly mounted component. The two components underthe invention can be rotated with respect to each other, so that it ispossible to achieve selective actuation of the particular feeds.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the invention the intake duct, whichis formed in the second component, is tilted with respect to arotational axis. Preferably it runs radially inward, but is tilted atthe same time. This creates open installation space in the area of theintake port of the intake duct inside the second component, in whichcontrol devices, specifically valve control devices, which will bedescribed in detail below, can be housed

[0017] To selectively activate the feeds, the first and the secondcomponent specifically and preferably have flange-shaped contactsurfaces, lying against one another and specifically rotatable withrespect to each other, in which the openings of the first component andthe intake ports of the second component open and communicate with oneanother. In order to rotate the two components relative to each other, apositioning device is provided which is preferably computer controlled.

[0018] The positioning device comprises in a preferred embodiment of theinvention a positioning means which is moveable linearly, where itsadjusting motion runs specifically tangentially to the rotational circleof one component and provides progressive adjustment therefor about oneor more rotational positions.

[0019] With respect to automation it proves to be advantageous if thedevice for selectively activating a particular feed comprisesfurthermore a position control device with which the position of thefirst and second components can be determined one to the other. In thisway the adjusting means can be moved for as long a time until theposition control device reports reaching the next following activationposition for the particular feed.

[0020] In order to realize selective activation of the several feeds itwould be conceivable, for example, for the two components to be moveablewith respect to each other with adequate sealing. Instead, it has provento be achievable advantageously, more reliably and involving lowerdesign costs if the openings of the first component can be closed ineach instance by valves preloaded in the closing direction, which canthen be opened when the appropriate feed is activated.

[0021] It is proposed that the valves comprise valve bodies which can belifted from a valve seat opposite to the feed direction, when theappropriate feed is activated.

[0022] Lifting of the valve body could be accomplished per se in anyway, for example, electromagnetically. However, it proves to beadvantageous if a plunger device is furnished in the second component inthe area of the intake opening of the intake duct, which lifts the valvebody from its valve seat. The plunger device can, for example andpreferably, be furnished in the region above, that is, axially behindthe intake port, specifically when the intake duct runs at an angleradially inward-as was already indicated previously. The plunger deviceis preferably configured in the form of a piston with a push rod, whosefree end extends preferably through and beyond the intake port in thedirection of the first component. The free end of the push rod can thenproject into the opening in the first component and lift the valve bodyfrom its valve seat. To do this, the plunger piston is preferablypreloaded in the opposite direction, so that in its non-activated stateits open end does not project beyond the contact surface of the secondcomponent. When a feed is to be activated, with the first and secondcomponent correctly positioned relative to each other, the plungerpiston can be moved against the preload, specifically and preferablypneumatically, so that it opens the valve and creates a communicationfor flow between the intake duct and the appropriate feed, so that inthe following intake stroke by the pump device a preferablypredetermined volume of fluid can be drawn in.

[0023] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, theintake duct runs basically radially inward and there opens into acylindrical chamber, in which an intake and displacement piston can bemoved. During the intake stroke, a selected appropriate feed mustcommunicate with the intake port of the intake duct, so that apreferably predetermined volume of transported medium, namely, cleaningfluid or calibration solution or rinsing fluid, is drawn into thecylindrical chamber. In the subsequent displacement stroke, a non-returnvalve, preferably furnished in the feed, is closed. Moreover, thepreviously mentioned push rod device, which was furnished as necessary,is activated such that the valve in the opening of the first componentcloses this opening again. But if the aforementioned non-return valve isadditionally furnished, the preload of these valves does not need to beset particularly high.

[0024] The intake and displacement piston of the pump device ispreferably connected by means of a piston rod means to a moveablecontrol piston in a preferably pneumatic control cylinder. In apreferred embodiment, this control piston is under spring tension in onedirection, preferably in the direction of displacement of the intake anddisplacement piston. This means that only a single pneumatic controlconnection has to be furnished, with which the piston is moved in theintake direction. The subsequent displacement stroke is carried byspring preloading of the control piston. The pump device can be drivenby cycled bursts of compressed air with a piston stroke frequency whichcan be preset and thus with presettable volumetric displacement. Theaforementioned push rod device is driven in exactly the same cycle,which further simplifies the realization of the pump device design.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0025] Additional features, details and advantages of the invention arefound in the attached patent claims and the drawings and followingdescription of a preferred embodiment of the invention. In the drawings:

[0026]FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of the inventivemeasuring, cleaning and calibration device;

[0027]FIG. 2 shows a view of a control unit for the device from FIG. 1with a pump device;

[0028]FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section of the pump device depicted inFIG. 2;

[0029]FIG. 4 shows a side view of the pump device from FIG. 1; and

[0030]FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of the pump device from FIG. 3 and4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031]FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an automatablemeasuring, cleaning and calibration device for pH-electrodes 2 orelectrodes 2 for measuring redox potentials. The electrode 2 is held inan electrode armature 4, called a “switching armature”, and connected bya cable 6 to a transducer 8 which is computer-controlled or whichcomprises a process control computer. A control unit 10 is also shownhaving a pump unit 12 which can be seen in FIGS. 2 to 5. The pump device12, which is configured as a metering pump, lifts a cleaning fluid 16, afirst and a second calibration solution 18, 20, water under pressure 22and compressed air 24 from storage containers 14 over a common deliveryline 26 into a rinsing chamber 28 for the electrode armature 4 in amanner to be described in greater detail hereafter.

[0032] Furthermore, pneumatic control lines 30 lead from the controlunit 10 to the electrode armature 4 to move the electrode 2 from, orinto, its operating position inside a process container 32, or into orout of a maintenance position shown in FIG. 1. Pneumatically actuatedend switches are also provided. Also shown is a rinse block arrangement34 in the delivery line 26 with a plurality of valves. Through thevalves, water under pressure 22 or compressed air 24 can be supplieddirectly to the electrode armature 4 instead of the medium delivered bythe pump device 12. Two additional connections 36 are furnished foradditional media, for example, superheated steam, organic cleaner or anadditional cleaning agent or cooling air.

[0033]FIG. 2 shows the inside of the control unit 10, where the singlepump device 12 for delivering cleaning fluid 16 and calibrationsolutions 18 and 20 is housed.

[0034] The control unit 10 comprises a housing 38 in which mountingplates are located, such as mounting plates 40, which carry anelectronic module 42. Also shown is a piezo-pneumatic valve arrangement44 for activating the electrode armature 4. The control unit 10 convertscommands from the transducer 8, which represents the control center ofthe measuring arrangement, into pneumatic signals to control theelectrode armature 4. Feedback signals about armature position, meaningthe position of the electrodes 2, about the fluid level in the canisters14, and monitoring data for compressed air 24 and water under pressure22 are processed in the control unit 10. Conversely, measurement signalsfrom the measuring electrode 2, which are sent over the electrode cable6 to the transducer 8, are also processed there. The transducer 8 is thecommunications center for the device. The transducer 8 includes aprocess control computer or is connected to a process control computerand an input device. It controls signal paths and is linked over an RS485 bidirectional interface to the control unit, where the signals andcontrol commands from the process control computer are converted intopneumatic magnitudes to control the pump device 12 and to activate theelectrode armature 4, or these signals and commands are carried out. Asalready mentioned, feedback, such as armature position, canister fluidlevel and monitoring of compressed air and water is sent over thisinterface to the process control computer.

[0035] As already indicated, feed lines 48 lead from the supplycontainers 14 to the single pump device 12. Additional feed lines 48carry water under pressure 22 and compressed air 24. The connection ofthe feed lines 48 to the pump device 12 cannot be seen from FIG. 1. FIG.2, however, shows three of a total of five connectors 50 positionedconcentrically in a circle for the feed lines 48. This means that allthe feed lines 48 discharge into this single pump device 12, which willdescribed in more detail below. The pump device 12 is configured suchthat the five connections 50 can be activated selectively, so that thepump device 12 can selectively lift the particular media—cleaning fluid,calibration solutions, compressed air, water—through the five feed lines48 and through the common delivery line 26 to the electrode armature 4.A pump output 52 leads inside the concentrically arranged connections 50in FIG. 2 down and away and forms an angled connection for the deliveryline 26.

[0036] Construction and operation of the single pump device 12 areexplained below with the aid of FIGS. 3 and 4. FIGS. 3 and 4 show asectional view and a side view of the single inventive pump device 12.The pump device 12 comprises a first rigidly attached component 54, intowhich the connections 50 are threaded into axial bores 56 as male parts.The specific axial bores 56 form transverse ports 58 running in an axialdirection through the first component 54. However, the transverse ports58 narrow through the first component 54 and form a conical valve seat60 for a valve body 59. All five transverse ports 58 open into theconnection to the particular valve seat 60 in the form of orifices 61 ina flange-shaped connecting surface 62 in the first component 54. Thepump device 12 includes a second rotatable component 64 opposite thefirst component 54. This second component 64 lies against the contactsurface 62 with a contact surface 66 complementary to the contactsurface 62.

[0037] In the second component 64, which can be rotated about alongitudinal center axis 68 of the pump device 12, a second intake duct70 is formed, which, starting from an intake port 72 in the contactsurface 66, runs radially inward but is inclined at an angle to thelongitudinal center axis 68 and angled upward and opens into a centralcylindrical chamber 74.

[0038] By rotating the second component 64 with respect to the firstcomponent 54, one of the connections 50 and thus one of the feed lines48 can be selectively activated, by performing the rotation such thatthe intake port 72 of the intake duct 70 coincides with the orifices 61of the transverse ports 58 in the contact surface 62, so that a fluidcommunication path exists. The rotation of the second component 64 withrespect to the first component 54 is carried out by a device 76, whichwill be described in more detail below and which engages steps or pins80 furnished on the circumference 78 of the second component 64 and thusrotates the second component 64.

[0039] In order to achieve a fluid communication between the transitionports 58 in the first component and the intake duct 70 in the secondcomponent 64, the valve body 59 has to be lifted from the conical valveseat 60, in other words against the direction of feed. This is done by apush rod device 82, which comprises a pneumatically actuatable piston 84and a push rod 86. The piston 84 with the push rod 86 is housed in anoffset axial bore 88 in the second rotatable component 64, such that thefree end 90 of the push rod 86 protrudes beyond the contact surface 66through the intake port 72. The free end can then extend into theopening 61 of the transition port 58 and lift the valve body 59 from itsvalve seat 60, so that a fluid communication with the intake duct 70 iscreated. It should be mentioned that the piston 84 with the push rod 86is driven by pneumatic control pressure which is supplied through aconnecting opening 92 in a cover 94, which cover 94 closes the axialbore 88 in a pressure-tight manner. When pneumatic pressure is removed,the piston 84 and the push rod 86 are returned by a spring 96, so thatthe valve body 59 is pushed against the valve body 60 again by springpreload in a sealing fashion.

[0040] When, while a fluid communication exists, an intake anddisplacement piston 98 is moved upward, that is, into the position shownin FIG. 3, the particular fluid medium is drawn out of the feed line 48into the cylindrical chamber 74 through the intake port 70, thetransverse port 58 and the connections 50. In the ensuing displacementstroke of the piston 98, basically the entire volume of the cylindricalchamber 74 filled with fluid is moved, or displaced, through a centralaxial outlet pipe 100 to the pump outlet 52. In the outlet pipe 100, avalve 104 is preloaded against the direction of flow, the closing effortof which is calculated such that the valve 104 opens under thedisplacement pressure of the piston 98. The delivery line 26 is attachedto the open end of the angled pump outlet 52.

[0041] It should be mentioned that during the displacement stroke ofpiston 98, the specific non-return valve 106 furnished in the connection50 closes anyway, but it still proves advantageous if the valve body 59is also again seated against its valve seat 60 in a sealing fashion bymoving the push rod 86 back. After completion of the displacement strokea further feed line 48, or a further connector 50 respectively, can beactivated without fluid medium present in the transition ports 58escaping into the area between the contact surfaces 62 and 66.

[0042] The intake and displacement piston 98 is connected through apiston rod 108 running in an axial direction to a second actuatingpiston 100, which can be moved in a control cylinder 112. The controlcylinder 112 is located in an axial direction on the side of the secondcomponent 64 opposite the first component 54. The control cylinder 112is activated by a pneumatic connection 114 axially opposite the pumpoutlet 52. The pneumatic connection 114 provides compressed air over atube 116 screwed to the control piston 110 through the control piston110 and over a transverse bore 118 in a part 120 of the control piston112 facing the first component 64, so that when pressure is applied, thecontrol piston 110 and with it the piston rod 108 and the intake anddisplacement piston 98 is moved upward, in the intake direction. Areturn spring 124 is located in the other part 122 of the controlcylinder 112, which is supported against one side of the control piston110 and moves the latter downward when pressure is removed, in thedisplacement direction, whereby the displacement stroke of the piston 98is carried out.

[0043] It should be mentioned that compressed air is applied to the pushrod device 82 in the same cycle as to the pneumatic connection 114, andthus the control piston 110. The result of this is that the appropriatevalve body 59 is always lifted from its valve seat 60 at the moment ofthe intake stroke of the piston 98, so that a fluid communication ispresent. On the ensuing displacement stroke, on the other hand, the freeend of the push rod 86 is pulled back again below the contact surface66, so that the valve body 59 again lies in a sealing fashion againstits valve seat 60.

[0044] The aforementioned device 76 for rotating the second component 64with respect to the first rigidly attached component 54 shall now beexplained. As can be seen from FIG. 4, the device 76 comprises apneumatic positioning device 125 having a pneumatic cylinder 126 with acompressed air connection 128 and a linearly moveable positioning means130 inside the cylinder 126. As can be seen from the isometric view inFIG. 5, the direction of adjustment of the positioning means 130 isaligned tangentially to the direction of rotation and to thecircumference 78 of the second component 64. The positioning means 130has a rack-like carrier 132 on the side facing the circumference of therotatable component 64, which engages the previously mentioned steps orpins 80 on the circumference 78 of the component 64 and, as result ofthe motion of the positioning means 130, rotates the component 64 aroundits longitudinal center axis 68.

[0045] Furthermore, a position control device 136 is provided (FIG. 3),which comprises two microswitches 138, 140 positioned one above theother for position feedback and for the zero position.

[0046] When a maintenance process is performed according to setprograms, a corresponding command is given by the process controlcomputer in the transducer 8 to the control unit 10, and from there themeasuring electrode 2 is moved from its operational position into themaintenance position shown in FIG. 1 by means of the pneumatic controllines 30. A maintenance program, as was mentioned at the beginning, canthen be carried out by selectively activating the feed lines 48. To dothis, the component 64 is rotated with respect to component 54 by meansof the pneumatic positioning device 125 such that a suitable connection50, and thus over the appropriate feed line 48, a specific container 14is selected. It is also possible that a rinse with water under pressure22 is carried out and only then is the container 14 with the cleaningfluid 16 selected and fed to the rinsing chamber 28 for the electrodearmature 4 over the single pump device 12 and the delivery line 26.

[0047] Cleaning or calibration programs can be freely adapted to thespecific requirements by means of the process control computer. Cleaningand calibration media can be selected, if necessary, additional mediacan be supplied over the rinsing block arrangement 9, and the number andsequence of the steps can be varied as desired.

[0048] Program-controlled maintenance procedures can be carried out, forexample, according to specifiable time intervals. It is also possiblethat a sensor test device in the transducer is operated, which gives asignal to perform a maintenance procedure in the event that the sensordeviates too quickly, and that such a maintenance program issubsequently performed. It is furthermore conceivable that followingeach mains power outage, a maintenance procedure is automaticallyperformed.

What is claimed is:
 1. Automatable measuring, cleaning and calibratingdevice for pH-electrodes or electrodes for measuring redox potentials,specifically in process engineering, having an electrode armature (4)which keeps the measuring electrode (2) in an operating position or in amaintenance position, where the electrode (2) is retained in themaintenance position in a rinsing chamber (28) in which a cleaning andcalibration process can be carried out, and having a pump device (12)for supplying cleaning fluid (16) and calibration solution (18, 20) tothe rinsing chamber (28) over a delivery line (26) connecting the pumpdevice (12) and the rinsing chamber (28), characterized in that the pumpdevice (12) comprises several feeds (48) on its intake side, that adevice (76) is provided for selectively activating a specific feed (48)and that the media selectively brought over the specific feeds (48) tothe pump device (12) (cleaning fluid, calibration solution, etc.) reachthe rinsing chamber (28) over the common delivery line (26).
 2. Devicein accordance with claim 1, wherein the electrode armature (4) is aswitching armature which moves the measuring electrode (2) between theoperating position and the maintenance position.
 3. Device in accordancewith claim 1 or 2, wherein the several feeds (48) comprise a first meansof supply for providing a cleaning fluid (16) and a second and thirdmeans of supply for providing a first and second calibration solution(18, 20).
 4. Device in accordance with claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the pumpdevice (12) is a metering pump device with which specified quantitiescan be supplied to the rinsing chamber (28).
 5. Device under of thepreceding claims, wherein the pump device (12) comprises a firstcomponent (54) connectable with the several feeds (48) which has oneopening (61) per feed, which openings (61) are selectively connectableto an intake duct (70) on the pump device (12).
 6. Device in accordancewith one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (76) forselectively activating a specific feed (48) has a second component (64)adjustable with respect to the first component (54), which secondcomponent comprises the intake duct (70), and wherein the first andsecond component (54, 64) are adjustable with respect to each other suchthat an intake port (72) in the intake duct (70) is selectivelyconnectable to a specific feed (48).
 7. Device in accordance with claim5 or 6, wherein the first component (54) is a stationary component. 8.Device in accordance with claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein the second component(64) is a moveable actuator.
 9. Device in accordance with one of theclaims 5-8, wherein the first and the second component (54, 64) arerotatable with respect to one another.
 10. Device in accordance with oneof the claims 5-9, wherein the intake duct (70) is inclined with respectto an axis of rotation (68).
 11. Device in accordance with one of theclaims 5-10, wherein the openings in the first component (64) arelocated concentrically to the axis of rotation (68).
 12. Device inaccordance with one of the claims 5-11, wherein the first and the secondcomponent (54, 64) have flange-like contact surfaces (62, 66) contactingeach other and specifically rotatable with respect to each other, inwhich the openings (61) of the first component (54) and the intake port(72) of the second component (64) open.
 13. Device in accordance withone of the claims 5-12, wherein rotation of the components (54, 64) withrespect to each other is achievable by means of a positioning device(76).
 14. Device in accordance with claim 13, wherein the positioningdevice (76) comprises a linearly moveable means of adjustment (130),whose positioning motion runs tangentially to the rotation of the firstcomponent (64) and progressively adjusts it by one or more rotationalsetting(s).
 15. Device in accordance with one or more of the precedingclaims, wherein the device (76) for selectively activating a specificfeed (78) comprises a position control apparatus with which the positionof the first and of the second component (54, 64) to each other can bedetermined.
 16. Device in accordance with one or more of the precedingclaims, wherein the openings (61) of the first component (54) areclosable by valves preloaded in the closing direction, which areopenable when the particular feed (48) is activated.
 17. Device inaccordance with claim 16, wherein the valves comprise valve seats (59)which are liftable from a valve seat (60) counter to the feed directionwhen the particular feed (48) is activated.
 18. Device in accordancewith one or more of the preceding claims, wherein a push rod device (82)is furnished in the second component (64) in the area of the intake port(72) of the intake duct (70), which lifts the valve body (59) from itsvalve seat (60).
 19. Device in accordance with one or more of thepreceding claims, wherein the intake duct (70) runs radially inward andthere opens into a cylindrical chamber (74) in which an intake anddisplacement piston (98) is moveable.
 20. Device in accordance with oneor more of the preceding claims, wherein an intake and displacementpiston (98) is connected in a driving manner by means of a piston roddevice (108) to a control piston (110) moveable in a pneumatic controlcylinder (112).
 21. Device in accordance with claim 20, wherein thecontrol piston (110) is spring-loaded in the displacement direction ofthe intake and displacement piston (98).